Evidence supporting the use of: Fenugreek
For the health condition: Amenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Unani, to support women's reproductive health, including the management of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Traditional practitioners often recommend fenugreek seeds or their extracts to help stimulate menstruation and balance female hormones, attributing these effects to the plant's phytoestrogenic compounds and general "uterine tonic" properties. In these systems, fenugreek is sometimes combined with other herbs to promote menstrual flow and correct hormonal imbalances thought to underlie amenorrhea.

However, the scientific evidence supporting fenugreek for amenorrhea is limited and primarily based on animal studies or extrapolations from its purported estrogenic effects. While some studies have demonstrated that fenugreek contains steroidal saponins (such as diosgenin) that may have weak estrogen-like activity, there are no robust clinical trials directly evaluating its efficacy in treating amenorrhea in humans. Most clinical research on fenugreek has focused on its role in lactation, diabetes, or cholesterol management rather than menstrual disorders. As such, its use for amenorrhea is rooted more in tradition than in scientific validation, and more rigorous human studies would be required to confirm its effectiveness for this indication.

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